Thin films could make solar panels better and cheaper

A new kind of semiconductor made from barium zirconium sulfide instead of silicon could pave the way for better solar panels, LEDs, and sensors.

Charlotte Hsu-Buffalo • futurity
Dec. 26, 2019 ~4 min

Band-Aid adhesive replacement won’t ruin the planet

A new kind of adhesive works just as well as plastic-based versions but degrades in less than a year instead of lasting forever.

Jessica Colarossi-Boston University • futurity
Dec. 18, 2019 ~5 min


Magnetic fields turn material bendy and twisty

Researchers can control the shape of a new material called a magnetic shape memory polymer with magnetic fields, which could be useful for future robots.

Josh Brown-Georgia Tech • futurity
Dec. 17, 2019 ~4 min

A shell and ‘hair’ enhance perovskite durability

Perovskite nanocrystals hold promise for improving lasers, LEDs, and more—but durability is a problem. Plastic "hair" and a silica shell may change that.

Josh Brown-Georgia Tech • futurity
Dec. 16, 2019 ~5 min

Robot speeds up polymer creation for better medical devices

The new system—featuring custom software and a liquid-handling robot—can create up to 384 different polymers at once, a huge increase over current methods.

Todd Bates-Rutgers • futurity
Dec. 12, 2019 ~3 min

How to make ammonia with cobalt and crystals

A 2D catalyst has allowed researchers to develop an inorganic method of synthesizing ammonia.

Mike Williams-Rice • futurity
Dec. 11, 2019 ~3 min

A tiny bend gives semiconductors a big boost

Bending organic semiconductors can seriously up the speed of the electricity flowing through them, which could pave the way for better electronics.

Todd Bates-Rutgers • futurity
Dec. 3, 2019 ~3 min

New material offers lots of perks to soft robots

Soft robots and prosthetics could benefit from a new material that's conductive, lightweight, and heat-tolerant. Learn more in the video.

National University of Singapore • futurity
Dec. 3, 2019 ~5 min


3D printing method makes complex glass objects with light

A new method for 3D printing glass creates complicated objects without any of the hassle of previous techniques, researchers report.

Peter Rüegg-ETH Zurich • futurity
Nov. 26, 2019 ~3 min

3D printing technique puts electronics right into plastic

3D printing high-performance electronic circuits right into plastic could pave the way better drones, medical implants, and more.

Todd Bates-Rutgers • futurity
Nov. 12, 2019 ~3 min

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